Tonya S. Coffey

Tonya S. Coffey serves as Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Appalachian State University's College of Arts and Sciences, where she also directs the Physics Secondary Education Program. Her leadership spans academic administration, cutting-edge materials research, and transformative STEM outreach initiatives.

Dr. Coffey earned her B.S. (1996), M.S. (1999), and Ph.D. (2004) in Physics from North Carolina State University. Her foundational training in solid-state physics underpins her dual research trajectories in nanoscale materials characterization and physics education.

Her research program integrates advanced microscopy techniques (AFM, SEM, TEM) with educational innovation. In materials science, she investigates nanotribology, photovoltaic materials, and archaeological tool analysis, revealing atomic-scale friction mechanisms and optimizing solar cell morphologies. Concurrently, she pioneers K-12 STEM outreach through hands-on nanoscience modules and viral physics demonstrations (e.g., Diet Coke-Mentos), making complex concepts accessible. This synergy between fundamental research and pedagogy defines her scholarly identity.

Analysis of her 15 selected publications (2005-2023) shows increasing interdisciplinary convergence. Recent work (2021-2023) combines perovskite electronics with educational applications, while her archaeological studies demonstrate microscopy's versatility. Her publications span high-impact journals like ACS Applied Electronic Materials and educational venues like The Physics Teacher, reflecting balanced contributions to both research domains.

As Department Chair, Dr. Coffey oversees faculty development and curriculum while maintaining active research. She collaborates internationally (e.g., Russian archaeology projects) and with institutions like Princeton University, indicating robust grant support likely from NSF's materials research and education directorates. Her Physics Secondary Education Program trains future educators using evidence-based methods developed through her scholarship.

Dr. Coffey leads multiple STEM outreach initiatives, bringing nanoscience demonstrations to K-12 classrooms through programs like 'Exploring Nanoscience in K-12 Classrooms.' Her team includes graduate students, education specialists, and international collaborators working on microscopy-based projects and curriculum development. Future efforts will likely expand virtual microscopy access and cross-disciplinary teacher training models.